This vibrant young ensemble offers a fresh perspective on mediaeval repertoire.

CKD 529

Sollazzo Ensemble

Sollazzo Ensemble was founded in 2014 in Basel and brings together musicians with a strong interest in late medieval and early renaissance repertoires. The ensemble is directed by fiddle player Anna Danilevskaia and benefits from the different musical backgrounds of its members: while some of them come from Early Music families, others have found their calling via modern classical music, theatre or even musical.

The members of Sollazzo have profited from studies in institutions renowned for their specialisation in Early Music such as the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, the Esmuc in Barcelona and the CNSM in Paris, where the curriculum offered them diverse ways of approaching medieval repertoire and they enjoyed a constant stream of ideas and influences, before finding an autonomous path for the continuation of their work together.

In 2014 Sollazzo won Vier Jahreszeiten, an internal chamber music competition of the Schola Cantorum in cooperation with the foundation August Pickhardt, and was soon after selected for the young ensemble programme “eeemerging” (supported by Creative Europe), which gave them the opportunity to fully concentrate on musical matters during artistical residencies at the Abbey of Ambronay, the Collegio Ghislieri and the Seviqc Brežice Festival.

Apart of its concert activity, the ensemble has collaborated with the Italian Fondazione Franceschini (Florence) and Fondazione Cini (Venice), in the context of international seminars and symposiums bringing together musicologists, philologists and specialist on Italian medieval music.

In 2015 Sollazzo won the York Early Music International Young Artists Prize, as well as being rewarded by the public with the Friends of York Early Music Festival Prize, and in addition to that won the Cambridge Early Music Prize.

All MusicBest of 2017: 'The ensemble's pure instrumental sonorities and virtuosic singing make this album a delightful introduction to medieval music, and the recorded sound makes the listening experience a pleasure.'more >>

DiapasonDiapason d'Or: 'The musicians led by Anna Danilevskaia bring a bold freshness to these songs, which, driven by their passion, reveal a bright and picturesque Middle Ages.'more >>

Early Music Review'...when I put on this CD I was instantly captivated by the superb performances...Magical!'more >>

Early Music America'This is an exceptional performance; it is full of vitality and enthusiasm, facility and flexibility...'more >>

BBC Radio 3 'Record Review''These ancient works come off the page with a freshness and immediacy that’s compelling...Quite a debut!'more >>

The Arts DeskDisc of the Year: 'Sollazzo Ensemble's exuberant collection of medieval songs is my disc of the year.'

Giornale Della Musica'This music requires attentive listening and should be savored slowly...in order to capture all the nuances, allusions, metaphors and classic references of this refined and at times enigmatic art.'more >>

The Arts Desk'This is an exceptional release, and the most enjoyable early music collection I've encountered...It's phenomenal: excitement, sensuality and sheer fun abound.'more >>

GramophoneEditor's Choice: 'This has to be one of the most exciting and engaging releases of medieval song in recent years...absolutely bewitching.'more >>

The Observer'This imaginative debut album from the prize-winning six-member young Sollazzo Ensemble is a landmark: a wholly original approach to the secular music of the 14th century, done with energy and flair.'more >>

iTunes'It’s hard to imagine this music performed more vibrantly.'more >>